Portable scaffold



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

I. SMITH. PORTABLE SGAPFOLD.

No. 506,561. Patented Oct. 10, 1893.-

UNITED STATES PATENT EEIcE.

ISAIAH SMITH, OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

' PORTABLE SCAFFOLD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 506,561, dated October 10, 1893.

Applieationfiled September 1I 1892.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ISAIAH SMITH, of Nashville, county of Davidson, and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Scaffolds, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to produce a firm, durable scaffold, which-may be conveniently adjusted for use.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one side of my scaffold. Fig. 2 is an end view thereof. Fig. 8 is a section on the line 3, 3, of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view of the brace shoe, detached. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5, 5, of Fig. 4.. Fig. 6 is an end view of one of the brace feet; and Fig. 7 a side View thereof.

Referring to the figures on the drawings, 1 indicates suitable graduated supports, consisting preferably of ordinary rung ladders, which for convenience may be provided with casters 2.

3 indicates a stage provided with lateral side pieces 4, and a medial brace-shoe 5.

6 indicates a longitudinal slot in the shoe.

7 indicates stage -braces, preferably arranged upon opposite sides of the shoe, one at each end, and 8 a bolt provided with a thumbnut 9 for adjustably securing one of the stage braces to the shoe.

Suitable means for separably securing the braces to the supports should be provided. I prefer to fasten them to the rungs of the ladder supports, and for that purpose provide a fixed hooked piece 9 upon one end of the brace, and apivoted locking piece 1O provided with a notch 11 on one side thereof, and a projecting handle or thumb-piece 12, By this means the stage braces may be separately pivoted to the rungs of the ladder to accommodate the change of position incident to the adjustment of the braces upon the shoe.

13 indicates notches on the under parts of the stage to receive the rungs of the ladders, and afford means of adjustment of the stage thereon.

For light inside work the scafiold, as above described, is suflicient; but for heavier work, requiring greater steadiness and supporting power, I prefer to use a beam 14 provided with notches 15 upon its under side, and securing Serial No. 444,766. (No model.)

plates 16 thereon, if necessary, to hold the beam to the rungs of the ladder. The beam is provided with a longitudinal slot 17, and with beam-braces 18 provided at their upper ends with plates 19 and thumb-nut bolts 20 for securing them to the beam.

The beam-braces are preferably arranged in pairs at each end of the beam, and each pair united to the beam by a single bolt. The plates are bent, as indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, so as to throw the beam braces to the sides of the ladders. The feetof the beam braces are provided with means of securing them to the rungs corresponding to those illustrated and described with reference to the stage braces. When the stage, its braces, and side supports are used alone, the notches on the under side of the stage serve, in combination with the braces, to prevent the supports from twisting; but where the strain is greaterI find it necessary to provide not only the beam for preventing the spreading of the ladders, but also additional braces on each side of the ladders.

In use the distance between the ladders, and their inclination is regulated and secured by means of the notched edges of the stage and the stage braces. When the ladder is used for lighter purposes, and When it is designed to carry heavier loads the beam is placed in position and adjusted in like manner. By this means I secure a smooth and convenient form of scaifold that can be manufactored at comparatively small cost, and which is very strong, firm, and durable.

What I claim is 1. A portable scaffold, the combination with a pair of ladders and stage adapted to engage with the rungs thereof, of a longitudinal, medial shoe upon the stage, an adjustable brace on each side thereof adapted to be secured thereto and also to be secured at their opposite ends, respectively, to each of the ladders, 5 substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with side supports, a notched stage adapted to engage therewith, a notched beam adapted to engage therewith beneath the stage, and stage braces and beam I00 braces for adjustably securing the brace to 'the stage and beam, respectively, substantially as set forth.

3. In a scaffold, the combination with a pair of ladders and stage adapted to engage therewith, of a medial shoe upon the stage, braces secured at one end, respectively, to the 0pposite ladders, a slot in the shoe, and bolts 5 for securing the braces to the shoe by means of the slot, substantially as set forth.

4:. In a portable scaffold, the combination with a pair of ladders, stage, medial shoe, and

' an adjustable brace on each side thereof, of a no beam adapted to be secured to the ladders beneath the stage, and two pairs of adj ustable braces adapted to be secured, respectively, to each of the ladders and to the beam, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto 15 subscribed my name.

, ISAIAH SMITH. Witnesses:

E. CLINTON PYLE, J AS. CHAMBERLIN. 

